Strongsville Teachers File 10-Day Strike Notice

The Strongsville Education Association has filed a 10-day strike notice, which means that unless a contract settlement is reached by March 3, teachers intend to strike on March 4.

Superintendent John Krupinski, in a statement released Thursday afternoon, said the district is preparing for a strike. 

“The board and I are extremely disappointed that the teachers’ union has decided to take this action. We are still in negotiations and hope that a strike can be averted,” Krupinski said in the statement. “The board continues to negotiate in good faith. We presented a contract proposal that reflected the economic realities of these difficult fiscal times.”

Todd Jaeck, spokesman for the Ohio Education Association, said the strike notice is a formal action filed with the State Employment Relations Board that warns school officials of teachers' intentions.  

Strongsville teachers will vote by secret ballot March 3 whether to strike on March 4, Jaeck said.

"There will be a strike on March 4 unless a settlement is reached," he said.

If there is a strike, schools will stay open, Krupinski said.

“We will keep the community informed as the mediation process continues, including preparations for a teachers' strike," Krupinski said. "We will ensure that our schools remain open and are a safe learning environment with qualified teachers in place. We have started the process to make a smooth and orderly transition to a substitute teaching team.”

Teachers have staged two protests at School Board meetings, charging that the district is not offering teachers a fair contract.

The SEA has scheduled a press conference for 6:15 tonight to discuss details of the strike plan. 

Krupinski encouraged residents to contact the district with comments and questions through the schools' website.